ZoologyLesson 6 of 6 in the course Diversity of Animals

Vertebrate Diversity: From Jawless Fishes to Mammals

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Vertebrates are familiar animals with an extensive evolutionary history. This lesson introduces the vertebrate group and focuses on its earliest living branches: hagfishes and lampreys.

More than 62,000 vertebrate species have been identified, though living species represent only a small fraction of all vertebrates that have existed. Vertebrates belong to the chordates, a larger group that also includes tunicates and lancelets. A cranium, or skull, is an important feature of craniates; vertebrates are craniates that develop a vertebral column.

All flashcards

What is a vertebrate?
A chordate craniate that develops a vertebral column during development.
How does hagfish slime help the animal?
Hagfish release large amounts of mucus from glands beneath the skin, which may help them escape predators.
Why are hagfishes not vertebrates?
They retain a cartilaginous notochord and do not develop a vertebral column to replace it.
What happens during a lamprey's larval stage?
The larva may spend 3 to 15 years as a suspension feeder before transforming into the adult form.
What are gnathostomes?
Vertebrates with jaws; the name means “jaw-mouths.” Their hinged jaws help them grasp and tear food.

Quiz questions

  1. What developmental feature distinguishes vertebrates from other craniates?Answer: They develop a vertebral column.
  2. Which structure detects movement and vibration in the water around a shark?Answer: The lateral line
  3. Which changes typically occur during frog metamorphosis?Answer: Gills disappear and four limbs develop.
  4. How do amniotic membranes help embryos develop?Answer: They create a protected aquatic environment and reduce dependence on external water.
  5. Which mammal group has a complex placenta that supports exchange between mother and fetus?Answer: Eutherians

Based on Concepts of Biology by Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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